Electrical wire connector with insulation piercing means



Dec. 19, 1950 H. J. scHRoEDER 2,534,881 I ELECTRICAL wIRE CONNECTOR WITH INSULATION PIERCING MEANS Filed April 2O, 194e Ml' E kPatented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED ELECTRICAL WIRE 'CONNECTOR WITH INSULATION PIERCING MEANS Henry J. Schroeder, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 20, 1946, Serial No. 663,683

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in electricalwire connectors for securing a wire therein or for firmly joining a plurality of wires together in physical and electrical Contact, and refers particularly to connectors adapted to form electrical Contact with or between insulated wires.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a connector which can be manually and quickly applied Without the use of tools and does not require removal or stripping of the insulation covering of the connected portions of insulated wires when such wires are used.

Another object resides in the provision of a versatile type of connecting device for use on either insulated, partially insulated, or bare ,metallic wires of either the solid or stranded type.

A further object is to provide a low cost means for effecting the electrical connectionof wires which does not require the twisting or soldering of the wires or connector or further insulation of said connection.

Briefly described, my invention comprises a metallic clip member having one or more sets of serrations or teeth, or continuous insulation-cutting edges which securely grip the wires to be connected adjacent their ends, either piercing the insulation or contacting the bare metallic surfaces i Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational View of a pre ferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the connector employed. with the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a modication of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4. y

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the conductor employed with the form of my invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

. Fig. '7; is a longitudinal sectional elevation oi ,another modiiication of my invention,

Y Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. f

, Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the connector employed with the form of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of another form of my invention.

Fig. 11 is a similar View showing a slight modication of the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig.` 12 is a similar `View showing a further.

f modication.

Fig.` 13 is a longitudinal sectional View of a composite cap which may be employed in conjunction with my invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l indicates an electrical connector which comprises a cap 2 and a connecting member or clip 3. The clip 3 is preferably constructed of resilient metal such as hardened copper, brass or the like, and the same is bent to form two opposed plates 4 and 5. Each of the plates 4 and.5 terminates in juxtaposed teeth or serrations 6, which, as will be hereinafter more fully described, are adapted to grip or bite into two or more electrical conductors.

In employing the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,` the ends of a pair of insulated conductors l are inserted between the teeth 6. The two plates 4 and 5 are then manually urged towards each other to cause the teeth to penetrate the insulation upon the conductors l and also to penetrate the body of the conductors themselves thereby making electrical connection through the clip 3 between the two conductors. With the ends of the conductors l held between the teeth 6 of the clip 3, the clip is inserted into the open mouth of the cap 2. The cap 2 is constructed of an insulating material such as hard rubber, Bake lite or other synthetic resinous material which has both strength and properties of high electrical resistance. The cap 2, in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is of hollow form having a substantially square sectioned open mouth portion, and having tapered walls which terminate in an apex 8, the walls of the cap forming a dihedral angle.

When the clip 3 holding the conductors 1 is inserted into the cap, the opposed plates 4 and 5 of the cap are-brought into contact with the inclined walls of the cap and thus a force is established tending to move both sets of teeth 6 toward each other, thereby firmly gripping the conductors 7.

,The plates 4 and 5 are provided with transverse projecting beads 9 which are disposed adjacent those ends of the plates which carry the teeth 6. The opposed inner tapered walls of the cap 2 are provided with transverse grooves I into which the beads 9 register. Consequently, when the clip 3 is inserted into the body of the cap 2, said clip by means of the engagement of the beads 9 in the grooves Il! is securely locked within the cap. By virtue of the fact that the cap 2 is of insulating material; no danger exists of injurybeing; caused by contact with the metallic clip which electrically bridges the two conductors 1.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, an-

other form of my invention is shown.v Inths4V form of my invention a cap II constructedfof material similar to that of the cap 2 is adapted to carry a clip I2. The cap II is hollow and'is` of circular transverse sectionysaidi cap having` tapered walls of conical form. The clip I2 comprises a metallic member, constructed of amate i rial similar to the clip 3'; and comprises two opposed'plates I3 andy Iifwhich aresconnectedfbya bend I5. Each of the plates I3and I4,d in `lform, comprise aA portion ofthe Ysurfacezof` a coneand said. plates .terminateat theirfreefends in juxtaposed teeth I6.

Inutilizing this form ofmy invention, aipair of conductors Il may-beconnected electricallysby' inserting their'ends between the juxtaposed teeth I6; The teeth*` IIiliare so. formednthat anspace is:

provided at the central portion of the line ofy teeth whereby the conductors.' maybe inserted between the teeth in superimposed relationship, as shown bestnin Figs. 4l and 5. With the conductor ends in' position betweenthe teeth I6, the plates I3 and I4 are manually squeezedV together so asftol cause the centralY tooth projected from each plate to extend through the insulation upon the conductors and.' into they metallicfwires themselves, thereby effectingy electricalv connection between the two` wires. A shoulder I8* is formed at L the base:of the teeth llisand similarly a `shoulder I9` is provided on the` interior portion of the cap I I: With vthe conductors` I'I` rml'y gripped between the teeth I6, the clip I2 is inserted vinto thehollow'l capi-II and by `contact of the conicalwalls .of the cap II with the plates I3 and I4, the teeth areiirmlyurged into-thebodyfof the conductors. When the' clip has been moved to its limiting position within the cap, the shoulders I8fof the clip engage the shoulders Ifl'onr the interior walls f ofthe cap, thereby retaining the clipviirmlyiiny position within the cap.

Referring particularly to Figs. '7, 8 andy 9, ay

further modification of my invention is shown-and comprises a cap2'fand a clip 2 I. The cap 20 is ofhollow` construction and has conicallytapered walls similar to the cap II.- The cap 2011s also ofl circulartransverse section and maybecon'- structed 'of a material similar to that comprising thecap 2.

Theclip 2| is ofa material" similar to the-cli`p- 3 and comprises two taperedflat plates 22'i'andI 23 which are joined by a U-bendv24;l Infthis form ofclip one set of teeth 25 fprojectffrorn the plate 22 whereas the opposite plate 23 'carries no teeth. Each plate 22 and 23 is providedwith a struck-'upV button 2t which, as will be hereinafter more fully described;"` is adapted 'to hold the clip within'- the capf'ZIlL- Inutilizing this forrniof my invention, theends ofA two conductors 2l are insertedI between they tee-th` 25and' -thefolwardend 1of the plate 23,

and "'a force 'is `exertedsqueezing` saidplates` toward each other whereby the teeth 25 penetrater the vinsulation 'of the conductors andalso pene- 4. trate the body of the wires within said insulation. thereby making electrical" connection between the wires through said clip. The clip 2I is then inserted into the cap 2B and the tapered walls of the cap function to urge the teeth 25 toward the free end of the plate 23 thereby securely engaging or clamping the conductors 2T. When the clip 2| has been moved to its limiting position within the cap 26, the-f buttons 263" engage lin indentations 28' providedlin the interiorsurfaces oflthe walls comprising the cap 20. In addition, a shoulder 29'; is formed at the base of the teeth 25 which engages ashoulderf3 formed in the interior surface .of the-capl 2U.

Referring particularly to Fig. 10, a connector 3Iis shown which is adapted to make electrical connectionbetween two abutting conductors 32 and 33. The connector 3l comprises a cap portion 34which is provided with a pair of oppositely inclined conical walls.

The cap 3l is adapted to carry a pair of similar clips 35 and 36' which are of substantiallytheA same construction'as` the clipI2-. Eachoi-the` clips 35'and 36`areprovided with pairs of 'juxta-V posed teeth 3l! and38. respectively,` and each' of said clips are provided with struck-up Aportions 3' and. 40 respectively.

In utilizing this form of my invention the end' oi oneV of theconductors, conductor t2"for"inA stance, is inserted between the teeth 3IbeforeA the clip 35 has been inserted within the cap 34.` The clip is then squeezedin order to cause the teeth 3l to penetrate the insulation and themetal of the conductor 32,as has been hereinbefore de,- scribed in conjunction withthe other forms, of myV invention. The clip 35 is then inserted in the cap 34 until the struck-up buttons39 engage `in recesses provided in the interior of the cap 3 4i The clip 36 gripping the conductor 33 isalsoinf sorted in the cap 3 5 4and the U-bent portions are brought into contact with each other. as,A shownz best at 4I to provide electrical 'connection-M between the metallic wires and the conductorszand 3,3 through the clips 35andV 36..

Referring particularly tofFig. l1,v a connector.v (i2 similar to the connector 3lv is illustrated.- The. connector 42A comprises -a i capI portion 43 and clips 44 and .45'. Theclips44 and 45 are of a'. construction similar to the clips'4 35and-' 36, andthel cap 42 is substantially smilar'tothe cap 34: However; in this formlofmy invent-ion a metallic block 4S- positioned intermediate thef cap 43-v makes `electrical connectionbetweeni the apioeS-f of the `clips fland 45.- Otherwise, the-,iormr-'ofiw iny invention shown in Fig. llv is-substanti'ally.y similar to the connector '3l shown ,inf Fi'g.- 110..v

Referringparticularly to Fig; `12; another modi-1 catic-n of my invention is sliownwherein a Vclip;v il of construction similar to the clips1-`35,f36, 44 andllvswinsertablei withini a:cap 48. Th'e connector 49 comprising thefcliprM-an'd"cap'i481L is adaptedto be employed as-a male plug. In this form of my inventionteeth .dll'of'therclipl 4l penetrate theinsulation and the m'etal of the conductor 5U; and the clipmakes electricalfcon-v nection with a metallic block-5| carriedbyfthe cap at, said block" being positioned in electrical contacting relationship with thel apexfoffthe clipv 41.

A metallic finger 52 mayvcomprisea` portion ofthe block 5I or may be-electricall'y connected thereto, andL projects from thecap wherebysaidf electrical contact between the conductor 50 and the circuit comprising the female receptacle.

Referring particularly to Fig. 13, a cap 53 comprises an inner metallic lining member 54 and an exterior insulating portion 55. The cap 53 is similar in construction to the cap 2 hereinbefore described in conjunction with the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

By the provision of the metallic lining 54, the cap 53 is strengthened and yet having an insulated outer surface 55, the electrical connections made by a clip such as the clip 3 are insulated from the outside of the cap. Itis to be understood, of course, that the cap construction illustrated in Fig. 13 may be employed in any of the forms of my invention hereinbefore described, the only distinction being that a metallic reinforcing inner lining is provided for the cap.

The device comprising my invention may be used advantageously to make electrical connections of Wires in the fabrication of various electrical devices such as electrical motors, generators, portable power plants, lighting fixtures, lamps, fans, blowers, air exhaust units, Shavers, hair dryers, heaters, heating pads, stoves, food mixers, toasters, coiee makers, wallie irons, grinders, washing machines, switches, electric irons and a host of other types of electrical devices. In addition, my invention may also be employed in the splicing of house and power Wiring. It can readily be seen that time, labor and costs can be decreased through the elimination of manual operations such as Skinning of wire insulation, twisting of wires, soldering, taping, use of special tools. screwing of caps, and other manual operations heretofore necessary in making electrical connections.

Although my invention has been described in conjunction with clips 3, I2, 2|, 35, 36, 44, 45 and 41 which have penetrating teeth, it is to be understood that a continuous knife edge can be used instead of the teeth. In this form of my invention, however, care must be exercised so as not to exert too much pressure upon the cli-p and thus sever the wire or Wires connected by said clip. In addition, although my invention has been described in conjunction with unskinned wire, it is to be understood that the advantages thereof are also applicable to skinned or bare wires.

Broadly my invention is directed to a cantilever type metal clip having conductor-engaging members which bite or grip the conductor insertable therein at substantially right angles to the axis of the conductor, said clip being housed in an insulating shell. By gripping the conductors in this fashion, the engaging edges or teeth of the clip are rigid with regard to their relationship to the conductor and said edges or teeth can be forced or driven into penetrating contact with the conductors. In other words no spring or resiliency is contemplated in the conductor-biting edges or teeth, although the remaining portion of the clip may have resilient characteristics.

I claim as my invention:`

An electrical connector `comprising a hollow cap open at both ends and having oppositely extending sets of divergent walls, said walls being substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of thecap, a pair of metal clips each having opposite convergent sides substantially conforming in convergence with the convergent walls of said cap, the metal sides of each clip being connected by a U-bend at one end of each clip, said clips being insertable in said cap with the convergent sides of each clip in contact with portions of the convergent walls of said cap,`conductor engaging means carried by the face ends of the sides of each clip and disposed at substantially right angles to said longitudinal axis of said cap to make penetrating electrical engagement with conductors insertable in said clips along substantially the longitudinal axis thereof, and means for holding said clips in said cap in electrical contact with each other.

HENRY J. SCI-mOEDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,535,117 Fulton Apr. 28, 1925 1,583,884 Ile May 11, 1926 2,012,627 Gilbert Aug. 27, 1935 2,122,252 Hayes June 28, 1938 2,291,434 Hollopeter July 28, 1942 2,309,311 Grohsgal Jan. 26, 1943 2,316,267 McLam Apr. 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 55,548 Austria Sept. 25, 1912 

